Dean's Sights Already Set on Beating Bush in '04

[realFedUp]

http://www.latimes.com/la-na-dean21nov21,1,6870442.story

Dean's Sights Already Set on Beating Bush in '04

While his opponents keep their focus on early-primary states, the front-runner has segued into general- election mode.

By Matea Gold
Times Staff Writer

November 21, 2003

The former Vermont governor has stumped in 14 states this month, including some with late primaries — Oregon, Idaho, Florida and Pennsylvania. This week alone, he is visiting seven states, including Texas, Michigan and New York.

While his competitors focus their energies on half a dozen early-primary states, Dean has already segued into general-election mode by dashing around the country, hoping to create a sense of inevitability about his selection as the Democratic nominee.

snip
The broad and ambitious nature of his schedule is similar to the tack adopted by presidential front-runners such as George W. Bush, Al Gore and Walter F. Mondale in previous primary campaigns, and underscores the relentlessness with which the onetime unknown candidate is seeking his party's top prize.

Of the top-tier Democratic candidates, Dean is in a singular position to pursue a strong national campaign, in part because of his financial resources and lack of spending constraints, now that he has opted out of public financing. But his strategy is not without risks.

[CMT]

1. this is well and good, but

the Dean Team still doesn't take anything for granted and continues to work Iowa and New Hampshire and other early primary states hard.

[Rose Siding]

3. Absolutely

snip>
Still, Dean's strategists insist that the candidate also remains focused on the first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, keenly aware that competitors will try to slow him down there.

Said Trippi, "The last thing this campaign is going to do is make the mistake of underestimating any of them."

[Hawkeye-X]

2. Right. Media is all talk..

and no action. Dean is full of action, not just talk and empty promises.

He's already working not only NH, IA, but also Minnesota, New Mexico, Arizona, South Carolina, Idaho, and much more..

Hawkeye-X

[msanger]

4. The Virginia Headquarters opens tomorrow!

There has been an active Dean presence in VA for a couple of months, as I suspect there was been throughtout the country. Tomorrow the official headquarters opens up in Falls Church.

For people who think bush can't be beat, I just point to how Dean supporters (as well as supporters of other candidates) are organizing all around the country.

SOLID BLUE in 2004. (it doesn't rhyme, but its what I see coming.)

[slinkerwink]

5. damn, this man is three steps ahead of everyone!

:hi:

[0007]

6. Run Dean run - run junior back to Midland Texas

[Khephra]

7. Dean will win the primaries

Because he's the hardest working one of them all. Supporters of other candidates will say that their candidates also have to hold down a job as being reps, but Sharpton and Carol (who I adore) don't even do this much, and their schedules are much freer.

[Larkspur]

8. Clark is also freer than the others

and he doesn't seem to be working as hard either.

When I first signed onto DFA in April 2003, I did so out of support for Dean's anti-Iraq War position and that he was listening to the Dem base. I didn't realize then what a incredible candidate he is. My admiration and loyalty grow almost every day because Dean does something to increase it. What really impressed me the most was what Andrew Stern, SEIU President said that Dean was the ONLY candidate to work the SEIU grassroots to earn the national nomination. Dean was born into wealth, but he doesn't act like it. He's the hardest working Democratic Prez candidate I've ever seen.

[JNelson6563]

9. Rock on Dean!!

We're busy in Michigan and looking forward to Feb 7!!!

Julie